TOD Studies and Projects

Current TOD studies

Development Trends Along Transit

TOD has positive impacts on the ability of a region to grow efficiently, equitably and sustainably. Recognizing this, the TOD Office studied how much development has been permitted and planned along high-frequency transitways in the Minneapolis/St. Paul region. The study found:

More than $4.5 billion in nonresidential development permitted between 2003 and 2017

More than 15,500 multifamily residential units permitted between 2009 and 2017

$5 billion in planned development value

The study is the first of what will be an annual report of development permitted along transit.

BRTOD - State of the Practice in the United States

In Summer 2018, the Metro Transit TOD Office looked at the state of practice of TOD in the United States as it relates specifically to Bus Rapid Transit. BRT has long been understood to deliver comparable travel benefits to rail transit for smaller ridership corridors, but not much is known about its ability to deliver comparable development benefits. With the rising popularity of BRT projects, both in the Minneapolis/St. Paul region and across the country, this report examines BRT's ability to leverage TOD.

Towerside District Parking Framework

The Towerside District Parking Framework study was conceived to develop district parking recommendations for the Towerside Innovation District that will also serve as a case study for regional partners interested in exploring the establishment of their own district parking system. The study was led by SRF Consulting Group and Nelson\Nygaard and engaged representatives of the Prospect Park Partnership, University of Minnesota, City of Saint Paul, City of Minneapolis and Metro Transit. The study was completed in summer 2016.

Transit-Accessible Child Care Study

In partnership with Wilder Research, the TOD Office studied the location of child care facilities in relation to Metro Transit’s high-frequency service network. The study was funded through an internal Metropolitan Council equity grant program, which was created to investigate and promote new ways of advancing equity in the region. In addition to mapping child care facilities within walking distance of transit, the Transit-Accessible Child Care Study also included a survey of parents who use transit with their children. The study was completed in summer 2016.

Current Development Projects

Development Opportunities on
Metropolitan Council Land

The TOD Office completed a development site prioritization process on all properties owned by the Metropolitan Council located within a half-mile of transitways. Top priority sites were identified by applying the four Metropolitan Council TOD Policy Goals and by coordinating with cities and counties along the transitways. Click here for a downloadable map of these sites. The TOD Office also welcomes developer inquiries on any sites owned by the Metropolitan Council.

MN United MLS Stadium and
surrounding mixed-use development

Construction is underway on a new Major League Soccer stadium on land owned by Metro Transit at 400 Snelling Avenue North in St. Paul. Metro Transit made the site available for the stadium through a long-term ground lease to the City of St. Paul. The City anticipates additional development surrounding the stadium, all of which will be served by the METRO Green Line, A Line rapid bus and local bus service. Stadium construction began in 2017 and is expected to open in 2019.

38th Street Transit Station

The Lander Group has proposed a mixed-use, mixed-income development that will be integrated with the 38th Street Transit Center along the METRO Blue Line in Minneapolis. Metro Transit has completed negotiations of a long-term ground lease with the Lander Group and construction of 164 residential units and 28,000 square feet of commercial space is expected to start in 2018. The project will increase access to jobs and housing along transit and dramatically improve the public realm around the station through enhanced pedestrian connections, streetscape improvements and the addition of public plazas.

METRO Blue Line and
METRO Green Line extension projects

The TOD and Land Use staff at the METRO Blue Line and METRO Green Line extension project offices connect the design, engineering and construction efforts of the LRT alignment with each city and county’s planning, budget and policy development within the half-mile station areas. This collaborative, ongoing work fosters TOD along the project alignments and ensures that TOD projects will meet city land use approvals and be a financial success. It also increases ridership and revenues for the transit agency and fiscal and social benefits for the city and county.